Australia by Car

With Christmas, New Years Eve and Australia Day behind us, the holiday buzz has died down and we have reached that time of the year where we must settle back into work and prepare for the year ahead. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make the most of the weekends in the great outdoors. The Brisbane weather has been particularly pleasant of late, with only a few days reaching scorching temperatures! In my opinion, this is the best time to be outside, soaking up the sun and relaxing by the water. So, I decided to take a trip out to the Bay Islands of Brisbane’s Bayside, to see what all the fuss was about, and boy am I glad I did!

I decided to hire a car for the weekend, as I didn’t want to risk taking public transport out there. The drive was very pleasant and the car was a breeze to drive. Upon arrival in Moreton Bay, I instantly discovered why people speak so highly of this area. The atmosphere alone will take your breath away!

To start my exploration of the Bayside, I took my rental car on an adventure along the Moreton Bay Tourist Drive. This took me right along the foreshore and gave me an idea of what the region had to offer and what I should explore next.

After careful consideration, I opted to pay a visit to Moreton Island. Now, when it comes to outdoor adventure in Brisbane, there really is not better place than HERE. So many activities were on the cards, so I decided to just do a few; swimming, snorkelling, sand tobogganing and feeding the dolphins. OK, so maybe I did more than a few but I honestly couldn’t NOT! This was a truly unique experience and one that I will definitely come back to.

Heading back to the mainland, all the excitement began to take its toll and I found myself yearning for a nice, comfortable bed to get a bit of shut eye. I checked in to Pelicans Nestle Inn on the Esplanade and enjoyed a pleasant stay, with friendly service and great views.

Reality hit me the next day as I prepared to head back to the city to begin another week of work. However, now that I know that such an amazing place is just on my doorstep, I won’t leave it so long to pay a visit here again. This place is definitely a must for any Brisbane locals or visitors to our amazing city!

Discover the fascinating diversity of North Queensland and embark on an exploration of Townsville. This is Australia’s largest tropical city and is a charming blend of old and new. The drive here alone is stunning, from whichever direction you come from, and your car rental will allow you to take in the stunning surrounds at your own pace and leisure.

The city of Townsville offers everything a major city should, along with so much more! From lush rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef and from a luxurious resort on a tropical island to a cattle ranch in the golden outback, Townsville has it all.

When it comes to culture and adventure, you will never be left without something to do here. You will find the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, a wildlife sanctuary, an excellent casino, beautiful beaches, historic museums and culinary delights at the multiple restaurants that are speckled throughout the city. The city has a rich history and its cultural depths will surprise and enchant you.

While exploring the surrounding areas in your car hire vehicle you will come across some of the most spectacular places that North Queensland has to offer. Just north of the city you will find some breathtaking National Parks and World Heritage Listed areas that will provide you with hours of recreational enjoyment. The seaside towns of Ingham, Cardwell and Mission Beach, are home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, rainforests and waterfalls. These natural highlights are simply stunning and the very sight of them will be imprinted in your heart and mind forever.

The beautiful climate and relaxed lifestyle of Townsville, combined with the lure of the tropics and all of the attractions of a big city, will make you never want to leave this amazing place. It is the ideal stepping stone to the outback, rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, tropical islands and the Great Barrier Reef, making this the ultimate family holiday destination.

There is no better way to discover the best of Australian wildlife than to pay a visit to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to hundreds of native animals displayed in natural bushland and rainforest settings.

Currumbin is a unique area of the Gold Coast. It is where the bush and lush rainforests meet the coastline, and some of Queensland’s most beautiful beaches. When you hire a car rental here, you can begin your holiday at the beach and than head inland to discover the wonders of the natural rainforest. Travelling along the Gold Coast Highway, you won’t be able to miss the huge sign, indicating the turn off for the Wildlife Sanctuary. Take the turn and you will be transported into a world of wonder, beauty, nature and all that is wonderful.

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to get close to amazing native wildlife as it is home to more than 1400 animals and birds. The Sanctuary was established nearly 60 years ago and has thrived since then to become one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions, dedicated to preserving the state’s natural and cultural heritage.

The park features fascinating wildlife displays and shows that the entire family can enjoy. ‘Wild Island’ is an outdoor adventure playground and interactive science activity zone, that combines fun filled entertainment and adventure with nature. The ‘Wild night Adventure’ is another popular attraction, allowing visitors to discover an Aboriginal Dance Show and nocturnal animal display discovery tour. This is a display of traditional culture and Australian animals at their very best; definitely not one to miss!

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to practically every Australian mammal, reptile, bird and amphibian that you could think of. This makes it the wildlife experience of a lifetime, and one that is best discovered on your car hire holiday of the Gold Coast. Apart from the beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, this will be the highlight of your trip, full of memories that will last you a lifetime!

When it comes to thriving regional cities, Queensland sure doesn’t disappoint. Central Queensland in particular offers some of the state’s most beautiful towns, the most notable of these being the regional city of Rockhampton. As the largest urban centre in this part of the state, Rockhampton is home to endless attractions, landmarks, wildlife and beautiful scenery, making it the ideal destination for a driving holiday in a car rental.

Rockhampton’s position close by to Great Keppel Island means that it attracts thousands of tourists who are keen to explore the mainland attractions. Popular attractions in the Rockhampton region include the Riverbank Parklands, a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of the Fitzroy River, and the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens, which is home to excellent specimens of palms, cycads and ferns.

For those history and culture lovers out there, Rockhampton is also the residence of the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, which is Australia’s largest cultural centre. The centre is home to native plants, trees and waterfalls, and is the perfect way to discover Australia’s Indigenous history.

The city itself is surrounded by coastal and rural landscapes, which will be fantastic to explore in your car hire vehicle. The Berserker Range lies just on the eastern side of the city and is definitely worth the drive. The views up here are simply stunning and will give you an idea of just how vast and beautiful the city is.

Rockhampton truly is where the outback meets the reef. It is the perfect place to visit for a taste of the best of both worlds. Best explored by car, there is just so much to see and do here that you may never want to leave.

When it comes to coral, brightly coloured fish, hundreds of tropical islands and miles of pristine beaches, there really is none better than the Great Barrier Reef. As the largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is often labelled as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, and this is no mistake as it truly is spectacular.

The reef stretches for a total of 2,600 kilometres and is situated in the Coral Sea, just off the coast of Queensland. If you ask me, the best way to see it all is to take a driving trip up the coast, starting anywhere from as south as Bundaberg. The best way to do this is to pick up a car rental from your starting destination and than head north, sticking to the coast.

Some of the best places to base yourself for exploration of the reef would have to be Cairns, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation. Cairns has all of the ingredients for an idyllic tropical holiday and also enjoys the perks of city living. Port Douglas is just 70 kilometres north of Cairns along a spectacular scenic drive, which will be made easy in your car hire vehicle. Port Douglas has a distinctive tropical charm and is the perfect place to relax, take it easy and explore some of the country’s most breathtaking beaches.

The Great Barrier Reef itself supports a diversity of life, including many vulnerable and endangered species. The reef is scattered with beautiful tropical islands and thousands of coral cays. It is essentially the best place in the world to go snorkelling and scuba diving and is even more popular for reef cruises. Stretching for as far as the eye can see, the reef is alight with colour and life and is undoubtedly the state icon of Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is a must-see for any Australian or visiting tourist. It is the quintessential highlight of the state and one of the best natural features of our great country!

Springbrook National Park is nuzzled between Lamington National Park and the coastline of Queensland’s Gold Coast. Located just 100 kilometres south of Brisbane, Springbrook is the ideal location for a weekend escape and a chance to get back in touch with nature!

Springbrook can easily be accessed via the Pacific Motorway by taking the Mudgeeraba exit and following the Gold Coast-Springbrook Road. This scenic drive takes you through lush, pristine, and untouched rainforest. Dominating the skyline west of Broadbeach, you can enjoy magnificent views of the coast while taking in the surrounding wonders of the Gold Coast Hinterland.

The National Park covers a total of three sections: Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal and the Natural Bridge. Explore the cascades and tumbling creeks as you trek along one of the many walking tracks which take you through the subtropical rainforest. Climb the plateau to experience the breathtaking views of this spectacular area. The park is ideal for a family day out, with new exciting things to see around every twist and bend of the tracks. Enjoy a picnic lunch in front of the Purlingbrook Falls and soak up the clean crisp air that you can’t find in the city!

The National Park is not the only drawing card of the Springbrook Region. The area’s rich soil and cool climate makes it the perfect spot for grape growing. Visit the Springbrook Winery and Vineyard and sample some exceptional local wine, while exploring the beautiful gardens. The Springbrook Glow Worms Research Centre is another of the area’s tourist attractions. The kids are guaranteed to be captivated by the incredibility of the clever little worms and the adults may even get a kick out of it too!

The Springbrook area is truly the hidden jewel of the Gold Coast Hinterland. Its easy accessibility can be made even simpler when you go through Car Hire, so you really have no excuse not to visit this spectacular rainforest destination!

Airlie Beach is known as the gateway to the Whitsundays as it is the focal point of activity on the mainland. The tropical holiday town is situated on the beachfront of Pioneer Bay and overlooks the wondrous Whitsunday Islands. Airlie Beach is easily accessible by car, by driving through Abel Point Marina, which is the home of the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week, an annual, internationally recognised, sailing regatta.

Airlie Beach is perfect for those seeking either adventure and action or comfort and relaxation. The tropical ambience of the surrounds, the picturesque beaches and stunning rainforest tracks and waterfalls, offer endless beauty and enjoyment. Visitors can venture off the mainland and explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on day cruises, while engaging in diving, snorkelling and fishing activities.

Airlie Beach is also the end destination of the Whitsunday Great Walk. The walk, which begins in at Brandy Creek, stretches through tropical rainforest with spectacular views of the islands throughout the entire walk. The walk is a challenge but allows visitors to travel at their desired pace.

Take a short drive inland and you will come across the “Sweetheart of the Whitsundays”, Proserpine. This rural town is the home of the key infrastructure of the Whitsundays and is often referred to as “Barra Country”. The town of Bowen is also popular for fishing lovers, with the scenic beaches offering great fishing “hot spots”.

Most visitors to Airlie Beach chose to stay at the Airlie Beach Hotel, which is situated in the heart of Airlie Beach. The resort-style accommodation encompasses direct water views and prides itself on offering three quality restaurants. The hotel offers comfortable and affordable accommodation which allows you to relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

To explore Airlie Beach and surrounding areas in style and comfort, inquire about car hire. Enjoy!

Driving up into the mountains of the Sunshine Coast hinterland there is a noticeable change in the air around you. It takes on a crisp edge- brisk and vibrant. Just by breathing it in you feel more alive- a feeling that can only be complemented by a visit to Montville, a cosy village with spectacular ocean and National Park views.

Montville has the air of an English Village, especially in the winter time when the high altitude makes things rather chilly. Settled in 1887 by citrus growers, the heritage of the region is evident in its architecture. Most of the houses are log and stone cottages built in a definite English style, with a few Swiss and Bavarian cottages thrown in too. Many of the houses offer a view across the coastal plain to the beautiful Sunshine Coast beaches in the distance.

Often referred to as the ‘creative heart of the Sunshine Coast’, Montville contains a delightful collection of galleries, studios and specialty shops, showcasing the arts and crafts of the many artists that glean inspiration from the beautiful surroundings here.

One such creative stronghold worth a visit is the Black Forest Hill Clock Centre, where thousands of cuckoo clocks and German Grandfather Clocks are on display. Built according to the clock making traditions of the Black Forest region in Germany, each clock has meticulous attention to detail and its manufacture is overseen by a genuine German clock maker.

Just north of the village is the Kondalilla National Park, where there are a number of trails that take you through the thick lush rainforest and past stunning waterfalls. Its a great days outing.

Montville and the rest of the Sunshine Coast hinterland are yours to explore in a car rental. Enjoy!

The town of Chillagoe in Queensland came into being because of the richness of minerals lying beneath its surface. Although now that the heady days of the mineral boom at the turn of the last century are long over, it is what lies underground at Chillagoe that still supports the town.

When the shallow sea covering it receded thousands of years ago the limestone reefs that were exposed have since been shaped by the elements and large underground caves have formed. These caves are one of the chief reasons people come to Chillagoe.

They lie in the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, and their dazzling caverns and archways covered in stalagmites and stalactites can be explored via several walking tracks or on a guided tour. Expect to see lots of species of bats, and if you are lucky other unique wildlife such as rock pythons!

Its not just the caves that people come for though- its a combination of them, the beautiful outback scenery, the laid back country atmosphere and the mining heritage. This heritage can best be experienced in the Chillagoe Museum, where a collection of old mining equipment and interesting Aboriginal artefacts are on display.

The Chillagoe Mine itself is protected under the State Heritage Register, and in the old township the smelters (where once 1000 people worked) still dominate the skyline. Stories of the mining days of old abound, and you will learn much about the staunch pioneers that established towns like these.

200 kilometres inland from Cairns, a drive in your hire car from there will take about 3 hours. Most people coming here will choose to stay in the Chillagoe Cabins, beautiful self contained cottages that really complement the outback experience. There are also a couple of hotels in town too. For all your hire car needs visit car hire and they will take care of all of your needs.

Deep in central western Queensland lies the legendary township many consider to be the heart of the Sunshine State- Longreach. Experience the rich heritage and delve into the colourful past of this pioneering town which was settled in the 1870’s, and enjoy the outback stories of the friendly locals over a pint of beer in the local pub.

There are a variety of man made and natural attractions to see in Longreach. The Thompson River is a great spot for an evening river cruise, and fishermen will love to try their hand at catching the tasty yellow belly that lurk in its depths. This is one of Queenslands most prosperous wool and beef areas, so visit a farm and get shown the ropes of the industry. Read this article for more information on the region.

The Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach is one of the biggest attractions in Central Queensland. This large, modern establishment pays tribute to the pioneering men and women whose lives contributed to the outback lifestyle as we know it today. Its historical timeline is accurate and interesting, and you’re gonna need a few hours to fully appreciate it.

Longreach also has a long association with Qantas, which actually had its first operational base in the town before it grew into our national airline. This hangar is now part of the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, a great place to brush up on your aviation history and browse the records and artefacts in the museum.

Longreach is pretty far from anywhere… but remember the journey is half the destination. Pick up a car rental and drive the 1181 km from Brisbane or the 687 km from Rockhampton. Alternatively you could fly into Longreach Airport!